Attachment 04 - PR-EA Master Plan FONSI Final Signed Feb 2021.pdf

FINAL

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

APPROVAL OF THE REAL PROPERTY MASTER PLAN FOR CAMP SANTIAGO JOINT TRAINING

CENTER AND FORT ALLEN TRAINING CENTER AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NEAR-TERM

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AT CAMP SANTIAGO JOINT TRAINING CENTER

SALINAS AND JUANA DIAZ, PUERTO RICO

1. Introduction The Puerto Rico Army National Guard (PRARNG) prepared a Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) for Camp Santiago Joint Training Center (CSJTC) and Fort Allen Training Center (FATC), located in southern Puerto Rico, consistent with the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 2-100-01, Installation Master Planning, which provides guidance for developing RPMPs for DoD installations. In December 2015, the ARNG Environmental Programs Division issued a memorandum to the ARNG Construction and Facility Management Officers that outlined the requirements for preparation of UFC 2100-01-compliant RPMPs for 48 training installations; the ARNG G-9 includes CSJTC and FATC combined as one of the 48 installations. The ARNG is required to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for each of its 48 UFC 2-100-01-compliant RPMPs per the April 26, 2019 Department of the Army memorandum entitled Interim Guidance for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance for Real Property Master Plans (RPMPs).

The PRARNG prepared an EA to analyze the potential environmental impacts of approving the UFC 2-100- 01-compliant RPMP prepared for CSJTC and FATC and implementing near-term infrastructure projects at CSJTC. The EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-1508), and 32 CFR Part 651 (Environmental Analysis of Army Actions, Final Rule).

2. Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives

Proposed Action The Proposed Action consists of the following two components:

1. Approval of the PRARNG’s UFC 2-100-01-compliant RPMP developed for CSJTC and FATC, and

2. Implementation of specific near-term infrastructure projects at CSJTC.

The first component of the Proposed Action is the approval of the UFC 2-100-01-compliant RPMP developed for CSJTC and FATC. By memorandum dated August 22, 2019, the ARNG Installations and Environment Directorate (ARNG G-9) determined that this PRARNG plan includes all UFC 2-100-01 RPMP required elements. A copy of this memorandum is provided in Appendix A of the EA. The real property asset requirements of the installations identified in the RPMP are based on the authorizations for a Level III Training Center; criteria in NG PAM 415-12, Army National Guard Facilities Allowances; and stakeholder input. In addition to the standardized criteria and requirements for ARNG real property assets, real property asset shortfalls and damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017 at both installations were key issues that drove planning decisions during development of the RPMP. Sources of funding for the infrastructure projects proposed at the installations include Military Construction (MILCON) funding; Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (SRM) funding; and other funding sources. Proposed future development at CSJTC and FATC would involve demolition of buildings and structures destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Maria; repair, stabilization, and/or renovation of facilities that are in poor condition; and construction of new facilities. Overall, there would be less redevelopment at FATC than at CSJTC in terms of the number and size of projects that would be conducted over the same 25-year planning period. All proposed development at CSJTC and FATC would occur in or near the cantonment areas of each installation. In general, planning of future development at FATC currently is less definitive and more conceptual relative to CSJTC. For these reasons, specific projects at FATC are not analyzed in detail in the EA; instead the EA analyzes the general types and locations of projects proposed at FATC and the installation is analyzed only under Component Action 1. The PRARNG will prepare a separate NEPA analysis, either an EA or Record of Environmental Consideration (REC), for specific infrastructure projects at FATC after further planning is conducted and funding is obtained for the projects.

The second component of the Proposed Action is the implementation of several near-term infrastructure projects at CSJTC. The infrastructure projects analyzed in detail in the EA are all currently funded for design and are referred to as Act of Nature (AoN) projects because they have resulted from a natural disaster that could not be prevented; these projects would replace similar infrastructure that was severely damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Maria. The AoN projects at CSJTC that are analyzed in detail include eight projects funded through the MILCON program and six projects funded through the SRM program;

all these projects are identified in the RPMP except for the proposed electric utility microgrid. These projects are planned to be executed during Phase I, which covers the 5-year period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 to FY 2024. All proposed new facilities would be designed to last a minimum of 50 years per UFC 2100-01, Installation Master Planning; meet minimum DoD Antiterrorism/Force Protection standards per UFC 4-010-01, DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings; and withstand Category 5 hurricane wind speeds.

The eight AoN MILCON projects at CSJTC would all involve construction of new facilities in or near the cantonment area; implementation of some of these projects would also include associated demolition.

The following eight MILCON projects would be implemented at CSJTC under the Proposed Action:

1. MILCON Project 430073 – National Guard Readiness Center. This project would involve construction of a new National Guard Readiness Center at CSJTC, which would be a complex of facilities that would provide administrative, training, logistics, and material storage functions, as well as emergency response services during natural disasters. The existing National Guard Readiness Center at CSJTC was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and is no longer operational.

2. MILCON Project 431846 – Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF). This project would involve construction of a new AASF at CSJTC, which would be complex of facilities that would provide storage, repair, and maintenance of PRARNG helicopters, as well as support training of helicopter pilots. In addition to construction of the proposed new AASF, the Proposed Action analyzed in the EA covers the operations that would be conducted out of the new AASF at CSJTC, including storage, repair, and maintenance of PRARNG helicopters, as well as helicopter flight operations that are conducted out of the new facility. The existing AASF currently located at the Isla Grande Airport in San Juan was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria. Moving the AASF from the Isla Grande Airport will not adversely impact the Puerto Rico Ports Authority because the Ports Authority does not receive any services from the PRARNG. The Ports Authority is aware that the PRARNG proposes to move the AASF from its property and is supportive of the proposal.

3. MILCON Project 431847 – Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES). This project would involve construction of a new MATES at CSJTC, which would provide maintenance and repair of PRARNG equipment and vehicles. The existing MATES at CSJTC was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and is no longer operational.

4. MILCON Project 431848 – Transient Training (TT) Enlisted Personnel Barracks and Officer’s Quarters.

This project would involve construction of new TT Enlisted Personnel Barracks and Officer’s Quarters at CSJTC, which would house unaccompanied enlisted personnel and officers, respectively, who are conducting training at the installation. The barracks and officer’s quarters would be located within a complex referred to as the Operational Readiness Training Complex (ORTC) in the RPMP, which would also include the proposed new TT Company Headquarters (HQ) (MILCON Project 431849) and TT Dining Facility (MILCON Project 431852). This project would include multiple billeting facilities (barracks) and pavement for operations and sidewalks. Most of the existing TT facilities at CSJTC, including the TT barracks and officer’s quarters, were damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Maria.

5. MILCON Project 431849 – TT Company Headquarters. This project would involve construction of new TT Company HQ at CSJTC. The Company HQ would be located within the proposed new TT ORTC area, which would also include the proposed new TT Enlisted Personnel Barracks and Officer’s Quarters (MILCON Project 431848) and TT Dining Facility (MILCON Project 431852). Most of the existing TT facilities at CSJTC, including the TT Company HQ, were damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Maria.

6. MILCON Project 431850 – Engineering/Housing Maintenance Shop. This project would involve construction of new Engineering/Housing Maintenance Shop at CSJTC, which would be operated by the Department of Public Works and would support maintenance and repair of facilities and other infrastructure at the installation. The existing Engineering/Housing Maintenance Shop was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and is no longer operational.

7. MILCON Project 431851 – Microgrid with Power Substation/Switching Station Building. This project would involve construction of a new electric power microgrid system at CSJTC, including a central substation, distribution network, and generation facilities. A microgrid is a small, localized electrical grid that can be operated independently of the larger grid to which it is attached. In the event of an extended outage of the main grid, the microgrid would distribute and regulate the power from solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, backup batteries, and/or backup diesel generators, and deliver it to the installation to support operation of essential facilities and emergency response operations.

8. MILCON Project 431852 – TT Dining Facility. This project would involve construction of a new TT Dining Facility at CSJTC. The TT Dining Facility would be located within the proposed new TT ORTC area, which would also include the proposed new TT Enlisted Personnel Barracks and Officer’s Quarters (MILCON Project 431848) and TT Company HQ (MILCON Project 43189). Most of the existing TT facilities at CSJTC, including the TT dining facility, were damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Maria.

The six AoN SRM projects at CSJTC would all involve improvements to existing infrastructure in or near the cantonment area; implementation of some of these projects would also include associated demolition. The following six SRM project would be implemented at CSJTC under the Proposed Action:

1. SRM Project 431504 – Potable Water Supply System. This project would involve improvements to the existing potable water supply system at CSJTC. Improvements would be made to various components of the potable water system, including but not limited to, wells, pump systems, treatment plant, storage tanks, and associated monitoring and communication systems. Most of the existing potable water infrastructure at CSJTC sustained damage from Hurricane Maria; some of the infrastructure was severely damaged and is no longer operational.

2. SRM Project 431628 – Fire Station Bay Parking. This project would involve replacement of the bay parking structure of the existing Fire Station at CSJTC. The bay parking structure of the existing Fire Station at CSJTC sustained damage from Hurricane Maria but is still intact; however, the existing structure is undersized and does not meet the needs of the PRARNG at the installation.

3. SRM Project 431632 – Medical Clinic Generator. This project would involve installation of a new electric generator for the existing Medical Clinic at CSJTC. The existing Medical Clinic at CSJTC currently does not have an electric generator.

4. SRM Project 431707 – Dining Facility. This project would involve replacement of the existing Building 404 Dining Facility at CSJTC. The existing Building 404 Dining Facility at CSJTC was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and is no longer operational.

5. SRM Project 431802 – Billeting Facility. This project would involve replacement of the existing Building 420 Billeting Facility at CSJTC. The existing billeting facility at CSJTC was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and is no longer operational.

6. SRM Project 431913 – ARMAGTM Container Pad. This project would involve construction of a new concrete pad to support four ARMAGTM containers for the temporary storage of ammunition at CSJTC.

The existing ARMAGTM containers at CSJTC currently do not have concrete pads.

Alternatives Considered The EA considered the following alternatives for Component Action 1:

• Proposed Action Alternative – Approve the CSJTC and FATC RPMP. Under this alternative, the entire RPMP would be approved.

• Alternative 1 – Partially approve the CSJTC and FATC RPMP. Under this alternative, certain components of the RPMP, but not the entire Plan, would be approved.

• No Action Alternative – Do not approve the CSJTC and FATC RPMP. Under this alternative, real property planning and development at the installations may still occur but would not be guided by the current UFC 2-100-01-compliant RPMP.

The EA considered the following alternatives for Component Action 2:

• Proposed Action Alternative – Implement the identified near-term infrastructure projects at CSJTC.

Under this alternative, all the proposed near-term infrastructure projects at the installation would be implemented.

• Alternative 1 – Partially implement the identified near-term infrastructure projects at CSJTC. Under this alternative, some but not all the proposed near-term infrastructure projects at the installation would be implemented.

• No Action Alternative – Do not implement the identified near-term infrastructure projects at CSJTC.

Under this alternative, none of the proposed near-term infrastructure projects at the installation would be implemented.

Based on the analysis conducted, only the Proposed Action Alternative met all the screening criteria used to evaluate alternatives for Component Action 1 and Component Action 2. Alternative 1 would not fully meet the purpose of or need for the Proposed Action, or any of the screening criteria used to evaluate alternatives; therefore, this alternative was determined to not be reasonable and was eliminated from detailed analysis in the EA. The No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose of or need for the Proposed Action, or any of the screening criteria used to evaluate alternatives. While the No Action Alternative would not satisfy the purpose of or need for the Proposed Action, this alternative was retained to provide a comparative baseline against which to analyze the effects of the Proposed Action, as required under the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR §1502.14).

3. Environmental Analysis The potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action are described in the EA. The EA identifies the environmental resources that could be affected by the Proposed Action, and determines the significance of the impacts, if any, to each of those resources. Based on the findings of the EA, the Proposed Action would have no appreciable effect on geology or cultural resources. In a letter dated October 19, 2020, the Puerto Rico State Historic Preservation Office concurred with the PRARNG’s determination of “no historic properties affected” for the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action would have less-than-significant adverse impacts on air quality, noise, topography, soils, water resources, biological resources, and hazardous and toxic materials/wastes. In a letter dated August 24, 2020, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the PRARNG’s determination that the Proposed Action would have no effect on the Puerto Rican boa, Woodbury’s stopper, St. Thomas prickly-ash, or cobana negra, and that the Proposed Action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the Puerto Rican nightjar. The potential adverse impacts on these resources would be further reduced via implementation of the best management practices (BMPs) and other measures identified in the EA. The Proposed Action would have beneficial impacts on visual quality, land use, socioeconomics, utilities, and transportation. The Proposed Action would not result in disproportionate environmental health or safety risks to children, and it would not disproportionately impact minority or low-income populations. When added to past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions, the Proposed Action is not expected to have significantly adverse cumulative impacts on any resource.

4. Mitigation No mitigation measures are required under the Proposed Action to reduce adverse impacts to below significant levels for any resource analyzed in the EA. The measures identified in the EA to minimize potential impacts associated with the Proposed Action include BMPs and required regulatory permits and actions necessary to maintain compliance with applicable laws, policies, and plans.

5. Regulations The Proposed Action will not violate NEPA, the CEQ Regulations, 32 CFR 651, or other federal, state, or local environmental regulations.

6. Public Review and Comment A Notice of Availability published in the El Neuvo Dia newspaper on December 3, 2020 announced the 15 day availability of the Final EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for public review and comment. Copies of the documents were made available at CSJTC and on the PRARNG website during the public review period. The PRARNG received comments from one commenter, Comite Dialogo Ambiental, Inc., during the public comment period. The commenter did not identify any major errors or omissions in the EA or significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts. Therefore, supplementing the EA is not required. The received comments and PRARNG’s responses to the comments are attached.

7. Finding of No Significant Impact After careful review of the EA, I have concluded that implementation of the Proposed Action will not generate significant controversy or have a significant impact on the quality of the human or natural environment. This analysis fulfills the requirements of NEPA, the CEQ implementing regulations, and the Army implementing regulations. An Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared, and the National Guard Bureau is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact.

Date Anthony Hammett

Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, G-9 Army National Guard

26 February 2021

Alternatives Considered